Top 19 Free Apps to Learn a New Language
In today’s global village, learning a new language is more than a skill—it’s a passport to new cultures, opportunities, and friendships. The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune to embark on this journey. With your smartphone in hand and the right app, you can dive into new languages at your pace, anytime, anywhere. Let’s explore the 19 best free resources that will guide you through your language learning adventure.
Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps, thanks to its game-like approach.
What it Offers:
- 35+ languages
- Bite-sized lessons
- Speaking, reading, and listening exercises
Pros:
- Fun, interactive learning
- Daily reminders keep you motivated
Cons:
- Repetitiveness in tasks
- Might not make you fluent without supplementary resources
Pricing: Free with ads; Duolingo Plus removes ads and offers offline lessons.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has been a leader in language learning for decades, now available as an app.
What it Offers:
- 25+ languages
- Immersive curriculum
- Pronunciation guide with TruAccent™
Pros:
- Focus on immersion
- Offers lessons without translation
Cons:
- Slower progression
- Primarily premium, but offers a free trial
Pricing: Free trial; plans start at $7.99/month.
Babbel
Babbel takes a conversational approach to language learning, ideal for travelers.
What it Offers:
- 14 languages
- Lessons focusing on real-life conversations
- Customized review sessions
Pros:
- Focus on practical dialogue
- Speech recognition technology
Cons:
- Some users find the pace slow
- Free version limited; most features behind the subscription
Pricing: Free version available; full access from $12.95/month.
Free Apps to Learn Languages
Memrise
Memrise uses memorable and entertaining content to make language learning stick.
What it Offers:
- 16 official language courses
- Video clips of native speakers
- Memes and mnemonic aids
Pros:
- Engaging, real-life content
- Courses created by a community of users
Cons:
- Quality varies between user-generated courses
- Some advanced features require Pro subscription
Pricing: Basic version free; Pro version starts at $8.99/month.
Mango Languages
Mango Languages emphasizes practical, real-world conversations across its offered languages.
What it Offers:
- 70+ world languages
- Cultural insights
- Designed with ADA standards in mind
Pros:
- Focus on conversation and culture
- Adaptive learning path
Cons:
- Limited content without library access
- Some found it less intuitive than competitors
Pricing: Free access through many libraries; otherwise, $7.99/month for one language.
HelloTalk
HelloTalk connects you with native speakers around the world for language exchange.
What it Offers:
- Chat with native speakers
- Text, voice, and video chat options
- Grammar correction tools
Pros:
- Real conversational practice
- Large, active user base
Cons:
- Not structured learning
- Relies on finding good partners
Pricing: Basic features free; VIP membership starts at $6.99/month.
Beelinguapp
Beelinguapp lets you learn through reading by presenting texts in two languages side by side.
What it Offers:
- 14 languages
- Audiobooks, news, and stories
- Karaoke-style animation to follow text
Pros:
- Immersive reading experience
- Suitable for all levels
Cons:
- Limited free content
- Some errors in translations
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases; Premium at $1.99.
Tandem
Tandem focuses on cultural exchange by pairing learners with language partners.
What it Offers:
- Conversation with native speakers
- Text, voice, and video options
- Professional tutors available
Pros:
- Authentic conversation practice
- Language learning community
Cons:
- Finding a consistent partner can be challenging
- Tutors cost extra
Pricing: Free; Tutor prices vary.
Quizlet
Quizlet isn’t language-specific but is a powerful tool for vocabulary building through flashcards.
What it Offers:
- Create custom flashcards
- Wide range of languages available
- Learning games and tests
Pros:
- Flexible learning
- Huge repository of user-generated content
Cons:
- Mostly focuses on memorization
- Premium features required for advanced studying options
Pricing: Basic version free; Quizlet Plus at $35.88/year.
Clozemaster
Clozemaster takes you beyond basics through mass exposure to vocabulary in context.
What it Offers:
- Game to learn vocabulary in context
- 50+ languages
- Sentences ranked by frequency
Pros:
- Fast-paced learning
- Focus on sentence comprehension
Cons:
- Not for absolute beginners
- Can be repetitive
Pricing: Free for basic; Clozemaster Pro for more features at $8/month.
Free Apps to Learn Languages
Anki
Anki is a powerful, customizable flashcard app that uses spaced repetition for efficient learning.
What it Offers:
- Customizable flashcards
- Spaced repetition system
- Sync across devices
Pros:
- Highly flexible system
- Great for memorization
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for creating cards
- Interface not as user-friendly
Pricing: Free on desktop and Android; AnkiMobile for iOS $24.99.
Lingodeer
Lingodeer is designed for Asian languages but offers comprehensive courses across many languages.
What it Offers:
- Grammar-focused lessons
- Interactive exercises
- Language tips and notes
Pros:
- Detailed language structure focus
- Engaging, interactive interface
Cons:
- Limited language selection
- Premium content behind subscription
Pricing: Basic version free; Plus version for additional features.
Busuu
Busuu prides itself on its community feature, allowing users to get feedback from native speakers.
What it Offers:
- 12 language courses
- Practice with native speakers
- Study plan and personalized review
Pros:
- Feedback from natives
- Structured learning path
Cons:
- Limited languages
- Full features require premium subscription
Pricing: Basic free; Premium plans start at $5.83/month.
Free Apps to Learn Languages
Drops
Drops makes vocabulary learning visually appealing and engaging with minimalist illustrations.
What it Offers:
- Visual learning with illustrations
- 5-minute learning sessions
- 37+ languages
Pros:
- Quick, daily practice
- Intuitive and attractive interface
Cons:
- Focuses only on vocabulary
- Learning sessions capped on the free version
Pricing: Free for 5 mins/day; Premium $8.49/month for unlimited access.
Mondly
Mondly offers daily lessons, real conversations, and augmented reality to teach languages.
What it Offers:
- Daily lessons and weekly quizzes
- Augmented reality (AR) feature
- Conversation-focused learning
Pros:
- Innovative learning methods
- Offers a children’s version
Cons:
- Repetitive; might not challenge advanced learners
- AR and some content locked behind premium
Pricing: Limited free content; Monthly subscription at $9.99.
Lang-8
Lang-8 is a writing exchange platform where native speakers correct your writing in their language.
What it Offers:
- Blogging in the target language
- Corrections by native speakers
- Community of language learners
Pros:
- Focus on writing
- Personal feedback
Cons:
- Not focused on speaking or listening
- The platform is older and less active
Pricing: Free; HiNative Premium as an alternative.
Free Apps to Learn Languages
italki
italki connects learners with language tutors for personalized one-on-one lessons.
What it Offers:
- Personal tutors for language learning
- Community with language exchange partners
- Written corrections from the community
Pros:
- Personalized learning
- Wide range of languages and tutors
Cons:
- Lessons can be expensive
- Quality varies between tutors
Pricing: Community features free; lessons vary by tutor rates.
FluentU
FluentU uses real-world videos to teach languages, offering a natural and engaging method.
What it Offers:
- Videos in 10 languages
- Natural language in context
- Quizzes to reinforce learning
Pros:
- Authentic content
- Engaging learning method
Cons:
- Expensive for full access
- Limited languages compared to other apps
Pricing: Limited free content; plans start at $20/month.
HelloLingo
HelloLingo is the successor to Livemocha, focusing on language exchange with native speakers worldwide.
What it Offers:
- Text and voice chat
- Community-based learning
- Option to help others learn your language
Pros:
- Real-time conversation practice
- Free to use
Cons:
- Less structured learning
- Depends on community activity
Pricing: Free.
Wrapping Up
Embracing a new language opens up a world of possibilities, and with these 19 apps, you’re well-equipped to start your journey. Whether you’re into games that teach, crave real-world conversations, or need structured lessons, there’s an app tailored to your learning style—and your budget. Remember, the key to language learning is consistency. Whichever app you choose, make it a part of your daily routine. Happy learning!
